Supreme Court directs BCCI to allow Bihar to play Ranji Trophy

The Bihar team is all set to play the coveted Ranji Trophy after being isolated for 17 years. The Lodha committee had earlier recommended the inclusion of Bihar as one of the reforms. The Supreme Court has finally issued a directive to the Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) to go ahead.

The bench was headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that also comprised justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud decided that Bihar should be allowed to participate in national-level cricket tournaments and must play cricket.

The apex court said the order was passed keeping in view the cause of cricket. As a result of the decision, Bihar will be taking part in this year’s Ranji Trophy. The state has a decent record having played a total of 236 first-class matches in their history. They’ve won 78, lost 56 and drawn 102 out of them.

Last played in 2003-04

Bihar was an active team in the Ranji Trophy till 2003-04. That’s when Jharkhand cricket took over. Most of the Bihar cricketers represent Jharkhand, to continue their career. However, they’ll finally be able to represent their state.

Not only will Bihar take part in the Ranji Trophy, but the other domestic tournaments as well. Since Bihar wasn’t a full member of the BCCI, they didn’t enjoy that status previously. However, now after being granted full membership by the Committee of Administrators (CoA), the state is eligible to vote in the Board elections as well.

Earlier in 2001, Jagmohan Dalmiya was the president of the BCCI. He had disaffiliated the Bihar Cricket Association back then. He, however, gave full membership to Jharkhand which had been carved out of Bihar. Interestingly, the last time Bihar played a Ranji game, MS Dhoni was the captain.

Aditya Verma who has been the secretary of the Cricket Association Of Bengal has played a huge hand. His efforts to bring back Bihar on the cricketing map finally seems to have paid off.

“It’s not a day to talk about who will run Bihar cricket. It’s about kids in Bihar who have now got the right to play in Indian cricket circuit. I am thankful to the Supreme Court,” he was quoted as saying to Hindustan Times.